Day 2 of the WTA Ningbo Open sees Karolina Muchova return to action. The Czech, who hit an amazing shot behind her back during this year’s US Open, will play Olivia Gadecki in the opening round. There are seven matches on the slate in total, and we at LWOT predict all the contests here and in a separate article, featuring Anna Kalinskaya vs Anastasia Potapova.
WTA Ningbo Day 2 Predictions
Yafan Wang vs Ella Seidel
Head-to-head: Head-to-head
30-year-old Wang’s career-best run to the fourth round of the US Open was among the biggest surprises of the year’s final Grand Slam. She has been unable to back that up on home soil, though, failing to win a match at the China Open or Wuhan Open. Seidel was thrashed 1-6 2-6 by Ajla Tomljanovic in the final round of qualifying but entered the draw as a lucky loser. The German had not played in over two weeks before entering the Ningbo Open qualifying. This is an ideal match for Wang to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Katie Boulter vs Sara Errani
Head-to-head: Boulter 1-0 Errani
37-year-old Errani proved there is still life left in her singles career by reaching the US Open third round. Boulter, whose form has dipped since the grass-court season, cannot afford to be complacent. There could not be a more apparent style contrast between the big-hitting Boulter and the infamously gritty Errani. Although the Italian has managed upsets this year, the time Boulter will get to wind up her formidable forehand should be the difference in this matchup.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Olivia Gadecki
Head-to-head: First meeting
Muchova’s recent level has been among the best in the women’s game. She reached the US Open semifinal and the final of the China Open. Those performances undoubtedly make her the favorite against Gadecki, but this is a challenging opening-round match for Muchova. The big-hitting Gadecki is dangerous, as she showed during her surprising run to the final of the Guadalajara Open last month. However, Muchova’s variety is an ideal counter to the Australian’s playing style and should be good enough to see her progress.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
